The Placer County Sheriff's Department named Shapre Nina Monique Nichols, 23, and Antoinette Danielle Powell, 22, as the victims.

California Highway Patrol officers said the three women were driving in a Nissan Altima when the vehicle crashed at about noon on the freeway near Maple Street.

According to officers, the Nissan was traveling in the fast lane on I-80 at about 65 mph when the driver lost control, swerved across the lanes and hit an embankment on the side of the road. After it hit the rocks on the side of the freeway, the vehicle overturned and finally stopped on its wheels between the no. 3 and 4 lanes.

CHP said that Nichols and Powell were pronounced dead at the scene. One of the women was the driver and the other was sitting in the backseat of the car.

Sacramento resident Robnisha Briggs, 24, was riding in the front passenger seat and was taken by an ambulance to Sutter Roseville with minor injuries.

It appears that all three women were wearing seat belts during the crash.

Westbound I-80 was completely blocked off following the crash, but all lanes were back open shortly after 2:30 p.m., Caltrans said.